X-shaped packaging clamp to hold an electronic product

ABSTRACT

An X-shaped packaging clamp to firmly hold an electronic product includes an X-shaped frame, grips and a restitution member. The X-shaped frame has a top and a bottom and includes two clamping bars pivotally connected to each other at a junction. Each clamping bar has a top and two ends. A grip is mounted on each top at each end of the two clamping bars to hold the electronic product. The restitution member has two distal ends and is mounted in the X-shaped frame with the two distal ends of the restitution member respectively attached to the clamping bars to provide a restitution force such the grips on the clamping bars will hold an electronic product in place.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an X-shaped packaging clamp, and more particularly to an X-shaped packaging clamp mounted in a protective box or case to hold an electronic product in place in the protective box or case.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] In this information age, information products, such as computers become more and more important for people. Especially, for businesses, more and more people always need to carry a computer to access and manipulate the information at all time. To accommodate this need, very small and light computers and computer products are being produced, such as laptop computers, personal digital assistant (PDA), also called palmtop, tablet personal computers, etc. for every specific applications to aid people dealing with business. Electronic products of this type are generally convenient, useful and portable so they can be conveniently carried. To protect the electronic products from impact, shock or being rubbed when they are transported or carried, the electronic products are carried or transported virtually always in protective cases or boxes.

[0005] The electronic products must be held in position in the protective boxes. Otherwise, the electronic products will impact the inside of the protective box. Furthermore, the cost of a device to hold an electronic product should be as low as possible. Therefore, a packaging clamp with a simple structure is needed to hold electronic products.

[0006] To overcome the foregoing problems, the present invention provides an X-shaped packaging clamp to hold an electronic product in position to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The main objective of the invention is to provide a packaging clamp with a simple structure to hold an electronic product in position in a protective case or box that will protect the electronic product from impact, shock or being rubbed.

[0008] To achieve this purpose, an X-shaped packaging clamp in accordance with the present invention is provided, which has an X-shaped frame, grips and a restitution member. The X-shaped frame has a top and a bottom and includes two clamping bars that are pivotally connected to each other at a junction. Each clamping bar has a top, two ends and two grips. A grip is mounted on the top of each end of the two clamping bars to hold an electronic product. The restitution member has two distal ends and is mounted in the X-shaped frame. The two distal ends of the restitution member are attached respectively to the clamping bars to provide a restitution force on the clamping bars and either spread or squeeze the clamping bars depending on the embodiment when the restitution member is squeezed or spread. Therefore, an electronic product located on the top of the X-shaped frame is securely held by the grips due to the restitution force generated when the grips are pressed together or separated to mount the electronic product in position on the X-shaped frame.

[0009] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an X-shaped packaging clamp in accordance with the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the X-shaped packaging clamp in FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the joint of the X-shaped packaging clamp in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an operational perspective view of the X-shaped packaging clamp in FIG. 1 mounted in a protective box to hold a PDA in the protective box;

[0014]FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the X-shaped packaging clamp in accordance with the present invention; and

[0015]FIG. 6 is an operational perspective view of the X-shaped packaging clamp in FIG. 5 mounted in a protective box to hold a PDA in the protective box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] With reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, an X-shaped packaging clamp (10) in accordance with the present invention comprises an X-shaped frame (not numbered), a restitution member (13) and cylindrical grips (14). Optionally, the X-shaped packaging clamp (10) may further comprise a mounting fastener, such as a rivet (121) for example to securely mount the X-shaped packaging clamp (10) inside a box (not shown) or case (not shown). The X-shaped frame comprises two clamping bars (11) and a pivot pin (12) and has a top (not numbered), a U-shaped spring groove (not numbered), a recess (not numbered), a pivot hole (not numbered) and a bottom (not numbered).

[0017] The clamping bars (11) are pivotally attached to each other at a junction (not numbered) in a symmetrical cross configuration to form the X-shaped frame. Each clamping bar (11) has a top, (not numbered), two ends (not numbered) and can be made of rigid material or resilient material. The pivot hole, is countersunk is defined through the junction of the clamping bars (11) and comprises two half pivot holes (111) that are respectively defined through the clamping bars (11) at the junction.

[0018] The pivot pin (12) passes through and is held in the pivot hole and has a top end (not numbered), a bottom end (not numbered), an enlarged head (not numbered) and a shank (not numbered). The enlarged head is formed at the top end of the pivot pin (12). The shank passes through and extends out of the pivot hole at the bottom of the X-shaped frame and is pivotally held in the pivot hole by spreading the bottom end of the pivot pin (12), for example. As an alternative, the bottom end of the shank also passes through the box or case and the bottom end of the pivot pin (12) is spread to pivotally connect the clamping bars (11) and securely hold the X-shaped packaging clamp (10) in the box or case. The enlarged head of the pivotal pin (12) seats flush in the countersunk portion of the pivot hole to pivotally fasten the two clamping bars (11) together so the X-shaped frame has a smooth top to support an electronic product (not shown).

[0019] The U-shaped spring groove is defined in the bottom of the X-shaped frame to hold the restitution member (13) in position and comprises two half spring grooves (112). The two half spring grooves (112) are respectively defined adjacent to the junction in each clamping bar (111) and corresponds to each other to form the U-shaped spring groove. The recess is defined in the bottom of the X-shaped frame corresponding to the U-shaped spring groove and comprises two semicircular recesses (113) respectively defined in the clamping bars (11). The semicircular recesses (113) are defined to correspond to each other to form the recess.

[0020] The restitution member (13) is mounted in the U-shaped spring groove to provide a restitution force that allows the clamping bars (11) to clamp and hold an object, such as an electronic product. The restitution member (13) is resilient and can be implemented with a metal, torsional coil spring. The restitution member (13) has a coil spring (131) and two arms (132). The coil spring (131) has two ends (not numbered) and a mounting hole (133). The two ends extend in the same direction to form the arms (132). Each arms (132) has a distal end (not numbered) and is held in one half spring groove (112) with the distal end secured to the clamping bar (11). The mounting hole (133) in the coil spring (131) corresponds to the recess when the clamping bars (11) are pivoted toward each other. The restitution member (13) is level with the bottom of the X-shaped frame. In an alternate configuration, the optional mounting fastener, the rivet (121) has an enlarged head (not numbered), a shank (not numbered) and a distal end (not numbered). The shank of the rivet (121) is mounted through the mounting hole (133) and the box or case, and the distal end of the rivet (121) is spread to securely hold the X-shaped packaging clamp (10) in the box or case. The enlarged head of the mounting fastener (121) is accommodated by the recess in the clamping bars (11).

[0021] The cylindrical grips (14) are respectively attached to the top of the X-shaped frame at the ends of the clamping bars (11). Shapes of the grips (14) could be changed to accommodate for applications. Each cylindrical grip (14) comprises a stud (141) and a tag (142). The studs (141) are mounted perpendicular to the top at the ends of the clamping bars (11), respectively. The tags (142) are hollow tubes made of soft material, such as rubber or plastic and are respectively mounted on the studs (141) to prevent the electronic product from being damaged by the stud (141) when the electronic product is clamped by the X-shaped packaging clamp (10).

[0022] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the X-shaped packaging clamp (10) is mounted in a protective box (20) having a bottom (21), sidewalls (22) and a cover (23). The bottom (21) is enclosed by the sidewalls (22) to form an inner chamber (not numbered) to hold an electronic product such as a PDA (30). The cover (23) is attached pivotally to one sidewall (22) to cover the inner chamber. As previously described, the X-shaped packaging clamp (10) is securely attached to the bottom (21) of the protective box (20) by either the pivot pin (12), a mounting fastener (121), such as a rivet, or both the pivot pin (12) and a mounting fastener (121). When the X-shaped packaging clamp (10) is mounted on the bottom (21) on the inner chamber of the protective box (20) by means of both the pivot pin (12) and a mounting fastener (121), the X-shaped packaging clamp (10) will not rotate around the pivot pin (12) or mounting fastener (121) used alone.

[0023] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a second embodiment of the X-shaped package clamp (10′) in accordance with the present invention comprises a X-shaped frame (not numbered) and cylindrical grips (14). The X-shaped frame comprises two resilient clamping bars (11′) and has a top (not numbered), a bottom (not numbered) and two mounting holes (114). The two resilient clamping bars (11′) are integrally connected to each other at a junction (not numbered) in a symmetrical cross configuration to form the X-shaped frame. The mounting holes (114), are countersunk, are defined through the X-shaped frame from the top at the junction and are adapted for the X-shaped frame to be mounted on a bottom (not numbered) of a protective box (20) with fasteners (not numbered), such as rivets. Each resilient clamping bar (11′) has a top (not numbered) and two ends (not numbered). Cylindrical grips (14) are the same as the cylindrical grips (14) on the previously described embodiment and are mounted perpendicularly on the top of the resilient clamping bars (11′) respectively at the ends of the resilient clamping bars (11′).

[0024] An electronic product, such as a PDA (30), is mounted between the four cylindrical grips (14) on the top of the X-shaped frame by bending and holding the resilient clamping bars (11′) until the electronic product is placed on the X-shaped frame between the cylindrical grips (14). A restitution force in the resilient clamping bars (11′) generated when the resilient clamping bars (11′) are bent causes the cylindrical grips (14) to securely grip and hold the electronic product such as a PDA (30) in position on the top of the X-shaped frame.

[0025] Furthermore, sizes of the X-shaped frame can be changed to accommodate electronic products of different sizes. For example, the size of a laptop is generally bigger than the size of a PDA. So, an X-shaped packaging clamp to hold a laptop must have a larger size X-shaped frame to support and hold the laptop.

[0026] The present invention is a new design and has many features never seen before. The X-shaped packaging clamp is simple, useful and inexpensive to manufacture. Moreover, the X-shaped packaging clamp is operated conveniently, will efficiently hold an electronic product in place in a protective box (20) and keeps the electronic product from banging against the inside of the protective box (20).

[0027] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An X-shaped packaging clamp for firmly holding an electronic product, and the X-shaped packaging clamp comprising: an X-shaped frame having a top and a bottom and comprising two clamping bars that are connected to each other at a junction in a symmetrical cross configuration to form the X-shaped frame, and each clamping bar having a top and two ends; and a grip mounted on each of the tops at each end of the two clamping bars; wherein the grip is adapted to tightly abut against the electronic product to firmly hold the electronic product in place.
 2. The X-shaped packaging clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping bars are made of rigid material and are pivotally connected to each other at the junction, the X-shaped frame further has a pivot hole defined through the junction of the clamping bars and comprising two half pivot holes respectively defined through the clamping bars at the junction; and a pivot pin passing through and held in the pivotal hole and having a top end; a bottom end; an enlarged head formed at the top end of the pivot pin; and a shank mounted in the pivot hole to pivotally connect the clamping bars; where the bottom end extends out of the pivot hole and is spread to hold the pivot pin in the pivot hole, and the X-shaped packaging clamp further has a restitution member having two distal ends attached to the X-shaped frame with the two distal ends of the restitution member respectively securely attached to the clamping bars to provide a restitution force.
 3. The X-shaped packaging clamp as claimed in claim 2, wherein the restitution member is U-shaped and comprises a coil spring having two ends and a mounting hole formed inside the coil spring and the mounting hole-of the coil spring adapted to be passed through by an optional mounting fastener; and two connecting arms respectively extending from the two ends of the coil spring and each connecting arm having a distal end to be secured to a corresponding one of the clamping bars; and the X-shaped frame further has a U-shaped spring groove defined in the bottom of the X-shaped frame to hold the restitution member and comprising tow half spring groove respectively defined in the clamping bars adjacent to the junction; and a recess defined in the bottom of the X-shaped frame to accommodate to the coil spring and comprising two semicircular recesses respectively defined in the clamping bars to correspond to each other to form the recess.
 4. The X-shaped packaging clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein each grip is cylindrical and comprises a stud formed upright from each top of the clamping bars at each end of the clamping bars; and a tag attached to around the stud to enclose the stud and made of soft material to prevent the electronic product from being damaged by the stud.
 5. The X-shaped packaging clamp as claimed in claim 2, wherein each grip is cylindrical and comprises a stud formed upright from each top of clamping bars at each end of the clamping bars; and a tag attached to around the stud to enclose the stud and made of soft material to prevent the electronic product from being damaged by the stud.
 6. The X-shaped packaging clamp as claimed in claim 3, wherein each grip is cylindrical and comprises a stud formed upright from each top of clamping bars at each end of the clamping bars; and a tag attached to around the stud to enclose the stud and made of soft material to prevent the electronic product from being damaged by the stud.
 7. The X-shaped packaging clamp as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pivot hole of the X-shaped frame is countersunk.
 8. The X-shaped packaging clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two clamping bars are made of resilient material and are secured to each other at the junction; and the X-shaped frame has at least one mounting hole defined through the top to the bottom at the junction of the X-shaped frame and each of the at least one mounting hole adapted to be passed through by a fastener for installation.
 9. The X-shaped packaging clamp as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one mounting hole of the X-shaped frame is countersunk.
 10. The X-shaped packaging clamp as claimed in claim 9, wherein the grip is cylindrical and comprises a stud formed upright from each top of the clamping bars at each end of the clamping bars; and a tag attached to around the stud to enclose the stud and made of soft material to prevent the electronic product from being damaged by the stud. 